‘Duck Dynasty’ star suspended for anti-gay remarks

(CNN) — Phil Robertson, a star of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” has been suspended indefinitely after slamming gays in a magazine interview.

“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” the network said in a statement Wednesday.

“His personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”

In an interview in the January issue of GQ, Robertson equates gays and sinners, and appears to compare homosexuality to bestiality.

“It seems like, to me, a vagina — as a man — would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical,” he’s quoted as saying.

Asked what, in his mind, is sinful, Robertson replied: “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”

“Duck Dynasty” follows a Louisiana bayou family that has “made a fortune on duck calls,” as A&E describes it.

Season 5 of is set to premiere January 15. Its fourth season premiere in August drew nearly 12 million viewers to become the No. 1 nonfiction series telecast in cable history, according to A&E.

17 comments

This is a very unfortunate situation. The actions of Phil Robertson have put a somewhat homophobic stigma on the A&E Network. In that type of situation Phil needs to know how to react to a question and respond in the most appropriate way manageable. In this day too many people are chomping at the bits waiting for you to slip up so they can give you their two sense. Phil reacted honestly and I respect him for that but sadly enough honesty can get you in a lot of trouble. There is a time and place for honesty but making anti-gay remarks for a magazine is not that place.

Laurie85

While I don’t agree at all with what he said the man does have a right to his own opinion. I think when the reporter asked that question in that way he was hoping to stir up some controversy to sell his magazine.

clevertitania

So Jay, would YOU consider it a minor insult, to compare your consenting and healthy sexual relationships to beastiality? Like Robertson, you’ve failed to THINK before you speak.

And to everyone talking about how this is an opinion, you need to learn the definition of an OPINION. If you walk around saying all African-American people are criminals,all women are hormonal and weak-willed, and all Hispanic people are lazy, would you also claim THOSE are just opinions one should be allowed to express without consequences? Not likely, because if you did, you’d be a moron.

He didn’t just voice an opinion, he said insulting and degrading things – ignorant and bigoted things – against a entire groups of people he knows nothing about. Yes, he’s allowed to say such things legally. But nothing in the First Amendment grants him the right to say such hateful and offensive things, and still have a national platform that gains his words national attention.

If you can’t treat the relationships and orientations of other citizens of this country with respect, then no self-respecting network is going to want you on their air time. If you can’t handle that, then keep antiquated opinions to yourself.

Shame on Robertson, for not realizing that this is the 21st century, and his brand of childish homophobia won’t be tolerated.

Roger

arcy

While i dont share his views at all (comparing homosexuality to beastiality is just ignorant) he has the right to have an opinion. He shouldnt be banned from the show. Their personalities is what makes the show interesting.

Mackenzie

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I personally believe the interviewer knew that this kind of conversation would end up in this sort of manner to begin with. How awful! Bet the views go WAYYY down now and duck dynasty won’t be able to stay No. 1. :( Phil is great!!

Stacie

First off, he didn’t compare homosexuality to beastiality. He was asked what, in his mind, is sin. He replied, with his opinion, in a form of listing. No where in that sentence or paragraph do I see anything about them being familiar. We all know what beastiality is, we all now what sin is. Everyone has a right to their own opinion. As everyone has a right to be Christian or to not be a Christian. This topic is ridiculous. These people have a right to their own beliefs, a right to their own opinions, and a right to state their opinions freely. After all, we do live in a free country, correct? They’ve gotten attacked because of their christianity, they’ve gotten attacked for bearing arms and now they are being attacked for speaking freely? Sounds lije we have a bunch of uptight people that need to turn the channel and watch something else. Instead of getting all shook up about petty little things such as this. Let them live, they’ve earned it. We live in America, they have the right to freedom of speech and to speak of the Lord.

Yes, the LGBT community wants to be left alone, let live & whatnot, yet, when a straight person voices their opinion, they’re hatemongers & evil for saying what they believe…
Gays can “come out of the closet” and feel praised & safe announcing their sexual preference (which I am totally against, by the way – but I won’t persecute, just my opinion based on knowledge of the holy writings) yet, when a straight person voices how they feel, they are considered hateful.
Phil said how he feels without using defamatory speech, so why is everyone being so uptight?
Is his words going to directly effect you?
No.
Quit watching the show if it bothers you.
We all need to get along, after all, we share this earth & only have a short time on it.

Sherry Goldring

Homosexuality is a sin. Go Phil! A & E should be ashamed for suspending someone who knows what he’s talking about. Maybe some people should also live by the Bible and our world wouldn’t be in the shape it’s in now. Freedom of speech people. We’re living under a dictatorship already. So is freedom of speech next to go?

Anna

He has the right to say whatever he wants. It’s his own personal beliefs and no one has the right to tell him he has to think or feel any differently. Shame on A&E for punishing him for saying what was on his mind.

Merv

It is a sad day in America, when we can’t express our personal beliefs without being being fired or being portrayed as some type of weirdo…when we know full well who the weirdos really are! I have never heard of a homosexual person being punished for saying disparaging things about a heterosexual, nor would I want them to be. I look forward to the day when someone of “power” or some large corporation stands up to these people who are so easily offended, and show some backbone. Amen Anna…SHAME ON A&E!

Chris

You will never change the way a man thinks when that’s how he was raised and what he has believed in for decades. If people are aloud to preach how gays are okay then there shouldn’t be any problem with someone else voicing their thoughts on the same subject. I am not against homosexuality whatsoever but! I feel like everyone should have the right to express their own opinion. If gays want it to be equal then let people say what they want to say without it being a hateful comment.